Pratapsinh Rane demands fast-tracking of rape cases in Goa

Goa's Leader of Opposition Pratapsinh Rane today charged the state government with acting leniently with a teacher accused of molesting a student, while applying stricter laws against Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in a rape case.

Raising the matter in the state assembly, he demanded fast-tracking of rape cases in Goa. "You have put Tejpal in jail. He is not even getting bail. I don't know what he did in the lift," Rane said and sought to know why the state government was lenient towards the teacher, despite his "gruesome" acts.

The teacher was charged with molesting his student, who had later committed suicide by setting herself ablaze. He had called the victim to his residence for tuitions. "This case should be fast-tracked," he said.

Responding to Rane's demand, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the case against the teacher was lodged in January 2012, while the rape law was amended after that. "The situation has changed after the Nirbhaya case and laws have changed," he said.